'Pumping is like an Olympic sport and I am an elite athlete... but it's not fun'

"I'm a mass milk producer. I have donated more than 3000 litres... I have not had a day off in three years."

A TikTok of an American mum sharing how she donates her excess breast milk, has gone viral for its humanity.

The clip, shared on the @60SecondsDoc TikTok account, which has almost two million followers, has had 11 million views.

In it, Elisabeth Anderson-Sierra talks about why she's dedicated her life to feeding infants in need; and helping the mums of newborns.

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Source: TikTok/60secsdocs.

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"I have 5000 ounces (141kg) of my breast milk stored in my freezer," Elisabeth begins in the video.

"It's not weird, it's a very natural thing," she adds, explaining that she sees herself as a "mass milk producer".

"I have hyperlactation syndrome. My body makes 1.75 gallons (almost eight litres) a day. I have donated 700 gallons (3180L) of my excess breast milk. That's twice the world record."

Elisabeth says she pumps and stores the breast milk to help any mum and infant in need.

"Pumping is like an Olympic sport and I am an elite. But it's not fun. My breasts wake me up in the morning because they're screaming, 'please, do something about this'."

"I have not gotten a day off in three years."

According to Elisabeth, it's worth it.

"But it makes a huge difference," she concludes in the clip.

"I'm saving lives by donating. I'm a mother with a gift I can share. If you want some breast milk I have some."

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Source: TikTok/60secsdocs.

Viewers were impressed by the "mass milk producer"

Most viewers couldn't believe Elisabeth's generosity.

"What an amazing and kind person," wrote one. "Her smile at the end made me tear up."

"That's actually a superpower," said another.

One also added, "Not all heroes wear capes."

Many in the comments wished they had known someone so kind when they were struggling.

"I wasn't able to produce enough for my baby. That is awesome that you donate your excess," one mum wrote.

Another agreed, writing, "This is incredible. We used donor milk in the hospital and I didn't produce enough on my own. You're doing amazing work."

Considering the current worldwide baby formula shortage, some viewers, such as this one, were doubly impressed with Elisabeth.

"You are amazing! This is especially important right now, especially with the baby formula shortage. You’ve probably saved more babies than you even know."

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Source: TikTok/60secsdocs.

Bette Middler's breastfeeding comments

Whilst it is incredible that Elisabeth is able to produce so much milk, store and donate it, not everyone is able to - nor chooses to.

This is why, when veteran American entertainer Better Middler tweeted that a solution to the baby formula shortage was for mothers to breastfeed, people were outraged.

Last week, the Beaches star, 76, took to Twitter to say women should "try breastfeeding" instead of using formula because it's "Free and available on-demand";  as families struggle to feed their babies due to supply chain issues in the country.

The ignorant suggestion was met with frustration.

"I had twins. I didn't produce enough milk for both. Without formula, I would have had to have chosen which one got to eat," Ilyse Hogue, former head of pro-choice group National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, wrote. "To say nothing of kids that get separated from their birth mothers very young."

Another tweeted: "This is profoundly insensitive. First, there are a million reasons why some women can't nurse at all, or can't nurse full time and supplement with formula. Second, women don't even need a 'reason'. She can decide not to just because she doesn't want to. Period."

A third pointed out: "What about the gay dads that adopted or had a baby via surrogacy? What about the mums that had a double mastectomy? Or how about the women that can't produce milk or not enough milk?

"Imagine having a large gay fanbase, many of whom are raising kids in two-dad households, and thinking this is a good suggestion."

Thankfully, there are good people like Elisabeth who get it and are doing what they can to help.

This article was originally published on 19 May , 2022 and was updated on 23 August, 2022.

Originally published as 'Pumping is like an Olympic sport and I am an elite athlete... but it's not fun'